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About your course

The exciting new BSc (Hons) Policing Studies and Cybercrime degree at Liverpool John Moores University examines how criminals have used opportunities presented by the growth of the internet to commit new crimes against individuals, organisations and governments.

Innovative and thought-provoking modules that reflect and challenge current policing practices and debates

You will be taught by lecturers with academic and professional backgrounds in policing and computing

Be part of the new Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies, the UK's first research centre devoted to supporting the needs of 21st century policing

Regular career workshops and symposiums delivered by police officers, police career and computing forensic specialists will help to prepare you for a career in policing or criminal justice

Opportunities to gain real-life experience of policing as a Special Police Constable or police volunteer

The skills and knowledge that I now have is going to be very valuable when getting into a career after my degree, it's a fantastic course and will only get better and better

Jamie Halleron-Kerr, current level 6 Policing Studies Student

I couldn't recommend this course enough to anyone interested in policing either in the public or private sector. Over the past three years I have had some great opportunities and experiences to develop my knowledge on the subjects that interest me.

Mark Whalley, current level 6 Policing Studies student

Work-related learning

Opportunities to study cutting-edge subject in the context of transnational policing.

​This degree incorporates specific and specialist work-related topics into every level of learning, as well as equipping you with a versatile range of transferable skills and knowledge in analysis and interpretation, presentation, teamwork, initiative and research.

You will be strongly encouraged to become a Special Police Constable, a police volunteer or to volunteer within the criminal justice field throughout your studies so that you can gain practical insight into operational practices, build professional relationships and enhance your employability skills for police and related criminal justice professions after graduation.

Support and guidance

Dedicated personal tutor plus study skills support.

​It is often useful to discuss course-related issues on a one-to-one basis and for this reason we will assign you a personal tutor for the duration of your studies at LJMU. Your tutor will also help you put together your personal development plan so that you can monitor progress and set your own targets.

Module tutors also provide support in the form of online learning materials, course guides and one-to-one consultations if you need them, and there will be study skills sessions to help you prepare for assessments.

Go abroad

LJMU aims to make an international opportunity available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree, either in Europe or the US. You could take part in a work placement in Europe under the ERASMUS+ scheme or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. There are also opportunities to attend a two-week summer school with one of our worldwide partners.

Our Go Global Fund can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?

Course details

Organised criminal groups are turning to the internet to commit new crimes which target individuals and businesses on a transnational scale, creating new challenges for police forces and national crime agencies.

​This programme will provide you with valuable insights and skills that will allow you to carry out computer crime investigations, understand contemporary issues in policing, and study the complexities of digital criminal networks, including the development of security software and systems.

Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the interest and ability to study for a degree, but do not have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Policing Studies and Cybercrime honours degree programme yet.

Once you pass the Foundation Year (level 3) you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

As part of the suite of Policing Studies programmes, taught within the Centre for Advanced Policing Studies, this degree will take you on a critical exploration of contemporary policing issues enabling you to develop specialist skills and prepare you for a rewarding career.

You are strongly encouraged to become a Special Police Constable, a police volunteer or to volunteer in some other way within the criminal justice field for the duration of your studies on the Policing Studies degree programmes. We will assist and support you to identify such opportunities and in making applications for such roles.

What you will study on this degree

Please see guidance on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.

Level 3

Preparing for Success : Academic Skills

Investigating Liverpool

Contemporary Issues in Law

Understanding Contemporary Social Issues

Contemporary Issues in Security and Policing

Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice

Level 4

Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law

Introduction to Programming

Introduction to Policing

Exploring Policing Studies - Skills for Success

Introduction to Computer Forensics and Security

Problem-solving for Computer Security

Level 5

Professional Skills for Policing

Practice, Procedure and the Criminal Law

The Psychology of Investigation

Computer Operating Systems

Secure Software Development

Computer Information Assurance

Policing Communities

​Level 6​

Computing Project

Multi Agency and Partnership Working in the Statutory and Voluntary Sector

Network Forensics

The following options are typically offered:

International Fieldwork for Policing

Policing, Security and Risk

Terrorism and Counter-terrorism

Investigative Skills

Application of Intelligence to Policing

Further guidance on modules

The information listed in the section entitled ‘What you will study’ is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal Academic Framework review, so may be subject to change. Students will be required to undertake modules that the University designates as core and will have a choice of designated option modules. Additionally, option modules may be offered subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Please see the programme specification document for further details on this course.

Teaching and learning

Excellent facilities and learning resources.

​Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars all of which you are expected to attend. In addition you will be supported to develop your skills relating to independent study and group work. You will need to participate in online activities and discussions using our virtual learning environment, Canvas.

You'll be able to pursue your subject of interest using the Department of Computer Science's impressive collection of high-spec facilities. Our forensics lab contains specialist software and hardware, such as Forensic Tool Kit (FTK) and Encase software. This equipment is used within many police forces.

Your lecturers

Expert tuition and support.

​Your tutors have a wide range of practical and academic policing-related and /or computing experiences and are actively engaged in research exploring innovative topics in policing, criminal justice, computing and HE pedagogy. This feeds directly into original and thought-provoking material for all Policing Studies programmes including the FDA, BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons) programmes.

The team is also committed to ensuring you get the most out of your learning experience. They are available at set office times to meet you for one-to-one consultations to discuss course-related issues, but in addition you will be allocated a personal tutor who will guide and support you throughout your time at LJMU.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, usually a combination of exams and coursework.

​We understand that all students have different strengths and preferences when it comes to assessments, so we use a variety of methods to assess your work structured across the academic year. These include essays, exams, fieldwork projects, reports, case studies, portfolios, online blogs and wikis, workplace practice, posters, presentations (individual and group), debates, reviews and group work.

You will normally receive extensive written feedback on your assessments, and occasional verbal feedback. All feedback is designed to help you achieve your full potential and get the most out of your studies, so staff will be available to discuss it with you and direct you to further support if you feel you need it.

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Minimum points required from qualifications

72

Application and selection

​Prior to application you should be mindful that you will be required to become a Special Police Constable, a volunteer in policing, criminal justice or a related field for the duration of your studies at LJMU.

If you do wish to volunteer for the Police, you must fulfil the minimum requirements set by the police (in terms of integrity and health) and are therefore advised to consult Merseyside Police constabulary's policies on recruitment to ensure that you are eligible:

GCSE and equivalents

Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/ English
• Functional skills level 2 in Maths/ English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A Levels

Minimum number of A Levels required: 2

Is general studies acceptable? Yes

Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

Average A Level offer: DDD

Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20

BTEC qualifications

BTEC certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

90 credit diploma: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Diploma (QCF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Diploma subjects / grades required: DM if no other level 3 qualifications are taken, or to the total of 72 UCAS tariff points when combined with other qualifcations

Extended diploma (QCF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Extended diploma subjects / grades required: MMP if no other Level 3 qualification taken, or to the total of 72 UCAS tariff points when combined with other qualifcations

Access to Higher Education Diploma

Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Further information: At least 24 Merits and 21 Passes, or any other combination that equates to 72 UCAS Tariff points in a relevant subject

International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Additional information: 24 IB Diploma Points

Welsh awards

Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

Irish awards

Irish Leaving Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Additional entry requirement information

​Applications are welcomed from mature and non-standard applicants, who will be considered on an individual basis. These applicants may be required to submit an essay and/or attend an interview, and should demonstrate potential and motivation and/or have relevant experience.

We welcome applications from International applicants who will be considered in line with normal entry requirements.

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.

Finance and fees

Find out more about the student funding that you may be eligible for from either LJMU or the government. This section will give you information about grants and loans as well as targeted support for students with children, adult dependants or those with a disability.

Please note that the amount of money you will receive as a student is dependent on where in the UK you normally live (i.e. England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland).

LJMU scholarships

LJMU's scholarships are open to all new full-time Home and EU undergraduates that are liable to pay tuition fees. These awards are not income assessed, they are based on excellence. If successful, you will be awarded a scholarship for each year of your course subject to satisfactory progress. Scholarships are worth between £1,000 and £10,000 per year. The money you receive doesn’t have to be paid back.

LJMU bursary

The LJMU bursary is automatically paid to eligible students – you do not need to apply for it. The annual bursary is £500, which works out at £1,500 over a three year degree.

LJMU bursaries are means-tested and you don’t have to pay them back; they are intended to help you meet some of the costs associated with being a student.

Tuition fees

You will be charged a fee for each year of your course. The University reserves the right to increase fees up to the maximum permitted by law or government policy in the second and subsequent years of your course. Generally, these fee increases are linked to RPIX inflation (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).

The fees quoted are those for the 2018/19 year as information for 2019/20 is not yet available. The Department for Education (DfE) have recently announced that they will be freezing tuition fees for the 2019/20 academic year. However, this is still subject to the normal parliamentary approval. Once 2019/20 fees are confirmed we will update our web pages accordingly.

The important thing to remember is that you don't have to pay your tuition fees upfront - subject to meeting eligibility criteria, you can take out a tuition fee loan for each year of your course.

You can also take out a maintenance or living cost loan for each year of your course to cover your living expenses, such as rent and food.

You don’t start repaying your student loans until after you’ve left university and start earning at least £25,000**.

LJMU is committed to ensuring that students understand the full cost of studying at the University. Your tuition fee will cover or contribute to, as appropriate, expenses associated with your core modules, including:

safety equipment, such as lab coats and goggles

uniforms for nurses, paramedics and other professional placements

UK field trips and other educational visits

student exchanges

DBS checks (Disclosure and Barring Service – formerly CRB)

Professional sector regulatory body membership

** Repayment threshold for students normally resident in England and Wales.

Living expenses (maintenance) loan

In addition to your tuition fees, eligible full-time undergraduate students can also apply for a maintenance loan to cover your living costs. If you’re eligible, you can take out a loan for each year of your course.

The amount you’ll receive will depend on where in the UK you normally live and your household income. This money will be paid into your bank or building society account in three instalments and it’s up to you to budget for your living costs.

Part time students starting in 2018 or later can also apply for a maintenance loan.

Paying back your student loans

You only start repaying your student loans the April after you have graduated or left university and start earning £25,000* or above. Repayments are based on a percentage of your salary not how much you have borrowed from the Student Loans Company. Repayments are currently set at 9% of any income over the threshold (which is currently set at £25,000).*

* Repayment threshold for students normally resident in England and Wales.

Career prospects

Once you completed the BSc (Hons) Policing Studies and Cybercrime programme, you will have the knowledge, skills and qualification that makes you an attractive candidate for a career in the police service.

Alternatively you may wish to pursue a career in other areas particularly connected to investigation, security or criminal justice e.g. roles within the armed services, prison service, social work or criminal justice-related roles within the Civil Service.

Successful completion of the BSc (Hons) programmes does not in itself provide any guarantee of recruitment as a trainee Police Constable.

Previous graduates have pursued an academic career through postgraduate study.

CareerSmart programme

All students in their first year of study will have an opportunity to engage with the CareerSmart programme as an integral part of a core module of study. Once you have completed this, a wide range of other career-related provision and services will be available to support your development throughout your studies.

The new CareerSmart e-learning tool will introduce you to the steps involved in making informed choices about your career. It will enable you to consider your strengths and development areas, your career motivators, the options available to you and the necessary steps to take to achieve your career goals.

Professional accreditation / links

All of our qualifications conform to the professional and regulatory guidelines established by The College of Policing and have been developed to reflect changes in the way that police constabularies are recruiting new constables nationally.

Students who complete the FDA, BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) could (subject to the proviso above) receive accreditation/exemption from core aspects of the Initial Police Learning and Development Program through which student police officers in England and Wales are trained in the role of Constable.

Foundation year fees

If you are studying on a foundation year of a degree programme you will be charged a reduced fee for your 1st year only. This means you will only pay £10,600 tuition fees for the first (foundation) year of your course.

International Scholarships

Studying at LJMU offers international students excellent value for money and the opportunity to secure an internationally-respected qualification plus outstanding career prospects.

LJMU offers scholarships for international students. The provision and range of these scholarships can change from year to year so it is important that you always check the website for the most up-to-date information. The University also accepts a range of external funding, should you be awarded a scholarship or sponsorship from elsewhere.

English language qualifications

All international applicants must have an internationally recognised English language qualification, such as IELTS (International English Language Testing Service). Your English language qualification must have been certified within the last two years for verification purposes. LJMU will accept other UKVI-recognised English language tests providing you attain the appropriate level.

This table summarises the minimum scores required by LJMU, although specific course requirements may differ depending on the programme you want to study.

English language support to improve IELTS

If your English language level does not meet the required entry requirements for your course you may still be offered a place on the condition that you successfully complete an English for Undergraduate Study course at LJMU’s International Study Centre.

Tuition fee deposits

International students are liable to pay a minimum deposit of 50% of their tuition fees before their CAS can be issued. The outstanding balance must be paid in full within 4 months of the given enrolment date.

Living Costs

When you apply for your visa or entry clearance, you will need to provide evidence of having enough money to support yourself for the duration of your programme and to pay for all of your living expenses. The good news is that the cost of living in Liverpool is one of the lowest in England, which means your money will go even further, allowing you to enjoy your student experience to the full.

In addition to academic fees, you must budget for living costs such as accommodation, food, clothing, books, local travel and entertainment. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) states that students studying outside London must have £1,015 per month for a maximum of nine months to cover their living costs.

We estimate that a single student living in LJMU-approved accommodation is likely to need an average of £5,000 to cover just their rent for a full academic year.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme Certificate (ATAS)

If you have applied to study an Enhanced Undergraduate Degree (such as an MEng) course at LJMU, you should check if you require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate.

Alternatively, contact LJMU’s International Admissions Team for guidance. It is important to note that, if required, an ATAS certificate must be obtained before your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies can be released to you.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Before you can apply for permission to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 4 you will require a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies or CAS. LJMU will only assign a CAS once you have satisfied the conditions of any offer made to you and you satisfy the University’s obligations as a Tier 4 Sponsor. For more details, visit the international students section.

Your visa application

As soon as you have received an offer of a place at LJMU you should contact the Entry Clearance Office at the British Embassy, British High Commission or Consular Office in your own country to check whether you need a visa for entry into Britain. You are advised to do this as soon as you can as the visa application process can take a long time.

Please Note: To obtain an Entry Visa you should go to the British Embassy or High Commission in your own country, and present the following documents: